Critical care nephrology: could it be a model of multidisciplinarity in ICU nowadays for other sub-specialities – the jury is out

Abstract

Patrick M Honoré,1 Rita Jacobs,1 Olivier Joannes-Boyau,2 Elisabeth De Waele,1 Jouke De Regt,1 Viola Van Gorp,1 Herbert D Spapen1 1ICU Department, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; 2ICU Department, Haut Leveque University Hospital of Bordeaux, University of Bordeaux 2, Pessac, France Abstract: Emergency and critical care medicine have grown into robust self-supporting disciplines with an increasing demand for dedicated highly-skilled physicians. In the past, “core” specialists were asked to offer bedside advice in acute care wards. In the same regard, critical care medicine and nephrology have been fighting but finally emerged altogether with the concept of critical care nephrology almost 20 years ago. Indeed, polyvalence is no longer a valid option in modern critical care. Uniting forces between disciplines represents the only way to cope with the increasing complexity and cumulating knowledge in the critical care setting. For this reason, the wide array of upcoming acute care sub-specialities must be committed to unrestricted growth and development. This will require competent manpower, a well-designed technical framework, and sufficient financial support. The worldwide success of critical care nephrology proves the feasibility for this concept. Keywords: translational medicine, multidisciplinarity, acute medicine, CRRT, dialysis, critical care nephrology